Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1887-01-15

ing in their system of free education.
The common district schools constitute
the foundation stones of the whole
structure, and unless they are supplied
in sufficient numbers and exactly
adapted to the purpose for which they
are intended the building is marred
and weakened, and the general as
semblv fails of one of the most impor-
tant duties imposed upon it by the
organic law of our commonwealth.
believe that it may be truthfully said
that ample provision has been made
for furnishing them in sufficient num-
Der, but that proper caution has been
observed that they shall be exactly
adapted to the purpose intended l am
not so sure. A building stone may be too
large or too small. 1t may be too much
numbered with merely decorative
work, as well as made too plain for its
use. l am inclined to think that many
Of our workmen, teachers, are disposed
to give too large share of their time
to swelling the apparent size of the
stones they furnish this structure by
adding to the solid rock other material
not called for in the specifications.
This, if found to be the case, should be
stopped, and they be strictly limited to
what was contemplated in the original
design. When we say free public
schools, we do not mean that they
exist like the air, without cost to any
one. The instruction in them is given
without cost to the pupil but the schools
are maintained at the enormous cost OF
$5 900 900 year. This money is rails
ed not by voluntary but by forced con-
tributions. 1t is weil-settled princi-
pie of good government that no more
money shall be forced from the people
in taxes direct or indirect, than is nec-
essary to accomplish the end sought.
In this instance it is the diffusion OF
that knowledge aud intelligence essen-
tial to the preservation of the rights
and liberties of the people. 1t rests
upon the general assembly to determine
what that includes and then to fix both
the limits of its with exactness. l
urge this for the safety of the schools,
aud hope you, gentlemen, will give
careful attention to this duty and will
take such action As will insure the
greatest degree of usefulness and sta
bility 10 our common schools.
You will find some we'll considered
and valuable suggestions on this subject
in the current report of the state
superintendent of public schools
PENIrENrIARY.
This institution should receive your
very careful attention, both by reason
of the large expenditure of money ne
cessary for its maintenance and be-
cause the problems involved in the sue.
cessful and economical management
and care of so many prisoners presen,
very considerable difficulty. Impressed
with the importance of this institution
| I have given close aud critical atten-
ton to the conduct Of it's affairs for the
past two years, and 1 am glad to say
that in every particular it has been en-
tirely satisfactory. The thirty -thirC
general assembly appropriated S210,.
900 out of the general revenues tor III
maintenance and improvement. Tht
warden, by my request, aud for th'
information of your body, has printed
the advance sheets OF his report to th'
board of inspectors, and reference t
that report will inform you ia detail o
the use made of such appropriation.
deem it proper to say that a careful
personal examination of the prison ha
satisfied me that the inspectors ant
warden have expended the money a
their command with economy and ex
cellent judgment.
Permanent improvements, buildings
walls and the like, the extensive, bu
necessary and valuable repairs, and tn
betterments of the institution generally
are worth very much more to the stat
than they have. cost; and these improve
ments go far toward placing the in
stitution in a condition to become self
sustaining. On this subject call par
ticular attention to the report allude,
to, where you will find detailed &C
count of each item in the table quote,
therefrom. This table covers the Who'll
of the two years, 1885 and 1886.
Cost of food consumed, S146, ,525 A
average cost per day per capita, 1914
cents.
Cost of clothing in use and consum
ed, $37, ,67S %; average cost per da
per capita, 3. 10 cents.
Cost of fuel and lights, $40, ,294 45
average cost per day per capita, 3.s
cents.
Cost of ordinary repairs, estimated
500, 900; average cost per day pc
capita, 1.69 cents.
Salaries of officers and employees
S129.522 SO; average cost per day pc
capita, 10. SO cents.
Discharged convicts, hospital an
other expenses, 1927 $40 %; averag
cost per day per capita. 2.S4 cents.
Total daily average cost of each in
mate, 34.45 cents.
Earnings from contract labor, 1886
O44 II.
Earnings from sale of bricks an
stone, S17 ,143 "a.
Daily average earnings of each In
mate, 2l.36 cents.
Daily average cost of each inmate al
. ter deducting earnings, 1909 cents.
From these figures it appears ths
after excluding the permanent improve
,, ments and extraordinary repairs th
, cost of the institution exceeds the tru
: or actual earnings by an average of l
!, cents to the inmate. The reason TO
, this is that So large number of th
!, prisoners are not worked under con
|, tract, and the remedy seems to be sim
, pie, namely, to put more of them ur
!, der contract. This I recommend.
,, order to do it it will be necessary {
build additional shop-room. This tn
!, inspectors and warden recommend. an
[ am sure such recommendation we
considered. and trust you, gentlemen
will make the appropriations necessar
, to execute their recommendations 9
made.
PARDoNe.
| herewith submit statement of tl
: reprieves, communications and pardon
! granted by me and the reasons there
for in separate paper.
COSTS IN CRIMINAL CASES.
, The costs in criminal cases shoul
2 receive your early attention. They al
, rapidly becoming enormous and real
4 threaten to become burdensome. A
though the appropriation for the yea
1885 and 1886 was S400, 900, it was e1
| hausted in August, and since then cos
) have been incurred amounting to moi
9 than 500 900, which amount must /
!. provided for in the deficiency bill
n is estimated that they will amount
e 100000 in the years 1887 and 1SS
/ This should not be. just how the go'
erning dimensions of this draft upo
q the peoples resources can best be al
i sured, do not know that l am pre-
e pared to suggest. However, one thin
T. is perfectly clear to me. 1t is matt,
Y demanding the most diligent al
/ thoughtful attention by those vii
u whom rests the remedy.
. HIGH LICENSES.
= Prior to the enactment and enforc